Breaking down the 18 prospects expected at Iowa football's season-opener
Matthew BainIowa football is expecting 18 prospects to visit for its season-opener against Northern Illinois on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. No basketball visitors are currently expected. The big weekend for basketball is Sept. 7-9, when Trayce Jackson-Davis, Xavier Foster, Patrick McCaffery and Joe Toussaint are scheduled for official visits.
For this Saturday, here's a quick breakdown:
First the targets and uncommitted prospects ...
T.J. Bollers, DE, 2021 (Tiffin): Arguably the headliner of a loaded in-state 2021 class, Bollers will open his fall visit tour with the Hawkeyes. He'll visit Iowa State on Sept. 15, Minnesota on Nov. 10 and Nebraska on Nov. 17. Northwestern recently bumped him up their board. Normally the Wildcats wait until a kid has taken the ACT before deciding whether to offer. We'll see what happens with Bollers. The Bollers camp also recently sent film to UCLA. Other interested schools include Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Army, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.
Michael Lois, DE, 2020 (Elkhorn, Wisconsin): Lois, a three-star prospect, has already been to Iowa City several times and things are heating up between him and the Hawkeyes. Northern Illinois is his only other offer at this point.
Luke Pinnick, OL, 2021 (West Marshall): Another member of this state's loaded 2021 class, Pinnick already holds an offer from Iowa State, as well as interest from Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. Also: He camped with Alabama this summer — not something many prospects from this state can say.
Javon Foy, WR, 2019 (Moline, Illinois): Foy, a 6-foot, 175-pounder who plays both ways for Moline, hold an FCS offer from Southeast Missouri State. Iowa would like another 2019 receiver. Obviously, David Bell is target No. 1. But if the Hawkeyes miss on Bell, Foy could be a name to keep an eye on.
Ian Kuehl, DT, 2019 (Lena, Illinois): Kuel, who checks in at 6-1 and 275, could have a college future in either football or wrestling.
Sam Mattecheck, DB, 2019 (Rock Island, Illinois): A do-it-all guy for Alleman High, Mattecheck is getting looked at mostly as a defensive back for college.
Cody Smith, OL, 2019 (Eagan, Minnesota): Smith, who camped at Iowa in June, holds Division II offers from Northern Michigan and Augustana. Iowa already has four offensive linemen for 2019. If he comes to Iowa City, it would likely be as a walk-on.
Maverick Gatrost, TE, 2019 (Center Point): Iowa is looking to add one more tight end. If things don't work out with Joseph Miamen and a couple other prospects, Gatrost is among a group of in-state tight ends to keep an eye on. The 6-5, 225-pounder receiving FCS interest opened the season with five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown in Week One.
Jackson Frericks, TE, 2019 (Cedar Falls): Frericks, who plays with Class 4A title-contender Cedar Falls, had two catches for 14 yards in Week One.
Reed Snitker, TE, 2019 (Dubuque): This Dubuque Hempstead product holds D-II offers from Minnesota State and Sioux Falls.
Spencer Daufeldt, DT, 2019 (West Liberty): Daufeldt, a highly productive reigning All-Iowa selection, holds a D-II offer from Minnesota State. He had 5.5 tackles and two solo sacks in Week One.
Kyler Fisher, DB, 2019 (Gowrie): This 6-foot, 200-pounder does a little of everything for Southeast Valley. He holds D-II offers from Upper Iowa and Minnesota State. In Week One, he rushed 14 times for 154 yards and three touchdowns, and he added 4.5 tackles, an interception and one catch for 14 yards.
Now for the recruits ...
Tyler Endres, OL, 2019 (Norwalk)
Ezra Miller, OL, 2019 (Holstein)
Logan Lee, TE, 2019 (Orion, Illinois)
Jack Campbell, LB, 2019 (Cedar Falls)
Desmond Hutson, WR, 2019 (Kansas City)
Noah Fenske, OL, 2019 (New Hampton)
Matthew Bain covers college football and basketball recruiting for the Des Moines Register. He also helps out with Iowa and Iowa State football and basketball coverage for HawkCentral and Cyclone Insider. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.